April 12, 2003
You are invited to participate in a research project that addresses the reflexive nature of learning artifacts (e.g., blackboards, whiteboards, overhead projectors, LCD projectors, computers, etc.) and learning practices in higher education: how the tools we use affect the learning that takes place, and also how our pedagogical goals and practices determine how we use and appropriate artifacts to serve those purposes. This project will be conducted by Ms. Rochelle Harden from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Department of English and Critical Studies at Parkland College.
In this survey, you will be asked to indicate how often and what type of learning artifacts you use in computer-assisted classrooms (e.g., D219, D234, D242, C132, etc.). You will also be asked to discuss your general experiences teaching in computer-assisted classrooms. All information obtained during this research project will be kept anonymous. We are not requesting any identifying information, and the results of this survey will only be presented as a summary of all results. Your participation in this project is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time and for any reason. Simply click RESET to withdraw from the survey. You are also free to refuse to answer any questions you do not wish to answer and you may request a copy of the research results after this project is completed. If you would like to participate in this research project, please complete the following survey.
Please remember to click SUBMIT ANSWERS when you have completed the survey.
If you have any questions about this research project, please contact Ms. Harden by telephone at 353-2626 or by e-mail at rjharden@uiuc.edu or RHarden@parkland.edu, or you can contact her project advisor Prof. Jim Levin at 244-0537 or by e-mail at jalevin@uiuc.edu, or you can contact the Director of Institutional Research and Evaluation at Parkland College, Dr. Sharon Kristovich, at 351-2239 or by email at skristovich@parkland.edu.
1. How important is having a computer-assisted classroom for your teaching? very important important somewhat important unimportant I don't use computer-assisted classrooms for teaching.
2. For which of the following composition courses do you use a computer-assisted classroom? Please check all that apply. ENG 098 ENG 099 ENG 101 ENG 102 ENG 106 ENG 224 ESL 099 ESL 101 ESL 102
3. What equipment challenges do you encounter when using a computer-assisted classroom? Please check all that apply. I cannot find the application I need. It takes too long to get the system started. I have software compatibility problems. I think the instructor’s station and LCD are too complicated to use.
4. In terms of lesson planning and classroom management, what other challenges do you encounter when using a computer-assisted classroom?
5. If you indicated in the previous question that you have challenges related to lesson planning and classroom management, what strategies do you use to address those challenges?
6. When you are presenting information to your classes, how do you most often use computer-assisted classrooms? Please check all that apply. Present my lesson/lecture notes as PowerPoint presentations. Access my course web site, WebCT, Blackboard, or similar web-based media. Teach using other software such as Microsoft Word for writing. Use Internet Explorer or a similar internet browser to point out online sources such as the Parkland Library Research Databases or the Little Brown Handbook Companion Website. Play videotapes or DVDs. None of the above.
7. When your students are working independently or in groups during class time, in what ways do you most often instruct your students to use the computer-assisted classroom? Please check all that apply. Perform word-processing tasks with programs such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. Access the course web site, WebCT, Blackboard, or similar web-based media. Use Internet Explorer or a similar internet browser to perform online research or other online work. Use presentation software such as PowerPoint. Use database or spreadsheet software such as Access or Excel. Use html editors to create web pages with programs such as Netscape Navigator or FrontPage. Use software such as Publisher for designing business documents. None of the above.
8. How often do you encounter technical problems with the computer-assisted classroom that requires you to modify your classroom lecture/presentation/lesson? once every class session I teach about once a week about once a month about once a semester never
9. If you indicated in the previous question that you had to modify your lecture/presentation/lesson due to technical problems, what piece(s) of equipment appeared to be the culprit? Please check all that apply. Instructor Computer Station VCR/DVD Overhead Projector LCD Projector Projector Screen Printer General Student Computers
10. On a typical day, what piece(s) of equipment do you use or instruct your students to use in a computer-assisted classroom? Please check all that apply. Instructor Computer Station VCR/DVD Overhead Projector LCD Projector Projector Screen Printer General Student Computers
11. Please indicate which of the following piece(s) of equipment you have NEVER used in a computer-assisted classroom. Check all that apply. Instructor Computer Station VCR/DVD Overhead Projector LCD Projector & Projector Screen Printer General Student Computers
12. How often do you use one or more pieces of equipment in a computer-assisted classroom? once every class session I teach about once a week about once a month about once a semester never
13. How often do you show video (VHS, DVD) with the projector? once every class session I teach about once a week about once a month about once a semester never
14. How often do you use overhead transparencies in class? once every class session I teach about once a week about once a month about once a semester never
15. How often do you use the chalkboard(s) or whiteboard(s) in class? once every class session I teach about once a week about once a month about once a semester never
16. What other information can you provide about your experiences with computer-assisted classrooms (problems, complaints, praise, highlights, or advice).
17. If you could design your ideal computer-assisted classroom, what features would be included and where would you place important learning artifacts (e.g., whiteboards, LCD projectors, general access computers, or the instructor station)?
18. Taking into consideration your teaching style and the type of learning that you want to occur in your classrooms, is the current design of our department’s (or our college’s) computer-assisted classrooms meeting your needs? Why or why not?
